LEROY 3TA!

LEROY LITA marked his first start in six weeks with a stunning hat-trick as Reading mounted a sensational fightback to dump Premiership side West Bromwich out of the FA Cup with a 3-2 extra-time win in a thrilling replay at Madejski Stadium last night.

CUP KING – Leroy Lita celebrates the first goal of his hat-trick with skipper Graeme Murty

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LEROY LITA marked his first start in six weeks with a stunning hat-trick as Reading mounted a sensational fightback to dump Premiership side West Bromwich out of the FA Cup in a thrilling replay at Madejski Stadium last night. Royals looked like they were heading for a third-round exit as they trailed to two Richard Chaplow goals at the break. But Lita, who has been plagued with shin and ankle problems all season, came to his side’s rescue with a second-half brace and an extra-time winner to seal a fourth-round clash at home to top-flight Birmingham City on Saturday, January 28. Goal hero Lita said: “It’s nice to be back as it has been so frustrating being injured. “I have missed lots of games and it was nice to be able to go out and express myself. It was a good night. “I never thought it was over, even at half-time because I thought we were the better team. “We have a fantastic team spirit and we never give up and I thought we deserved the win in the end.” Lita has now hit 10 goals in 24 appearances for Reading since his £1million summer switch from Bristol City. His treble last night was his first in a Reading shirt and the second in his career. He said: “I scored one for City against Torquay. “I am always hungry for goals. “People may say I’m greedy but if you don’t shoot you don’t score. “The second goal I scored was good, but I wouldn’t say it was special. A goal is a goal whether you score from two yards or 60 yards.” Lita celebrated his winner by taking his shirt off – and that earned him a yellow card from referee Paul Taylor. Steve Coppell’s men have lost just once in their last 32 matches in all competitions – and that was against Premiership giants Arsenal in the Carling Cup, but Lita insisted: “The table may say we’re the best team outside the Premiership, but we have to just keep going. “It’s nice to be in the next round, but we’re just looking to Palace on Friday night now.” Lita picked up a gashed right ankle, but should be okay to face promotion-chasing Palace although he could be relegated to the bench despite last night’s heroics. * READING are away to Nottingham Forest in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup tonight. The winners will be rewarded with a home tie against Manchester City in the last 16. * FULL match report, pictures and reaction, as well as more news from Madejski Stadium, in today’s Reading Post.